A/N: sithlorde1988 here. Normally I don't do these but I think I'll take a crack at a one-shot since I went through the Total Drama fanfic category and noticed that of the 10 fics to feature Rock in them, nearly all of them ship him with Taylor. Not that I have an issue with Tayrock, but I think there's other options that could be explored even with girls he never interacted with. Just in RR alone there's at least five girls I could see him being shipped with: Taylor, Ellody, Kitty, Carrie and Laurie. In this case I'm going to explore a one-shot dealing with the pairing of Ellody/Rock, to not only diversify the Rock shipping base but also explore what could've happened had the Geniuses not left so early in Ridonculous Race. Also as a warning, this may slightly ignore the events of 'Mediterranean Homesick Blues'. So before we begin, I've brought in Ellody to do the disclaimer. Take it away!
Ellody: Yeah, yeah. sithlorde1988 does not own Total Drama or The Ridonculous Race. All copyrights to those belong to Teletoon, Cartoon Network and the people who produce both shows.
sl88: Thanks Ellody! Now on with Rock My Genius!
(On the plane to the Mediterranean)
"Pretty crazy race so far, eh Spuddy?" Rock asked his teammate, then facepalmed when Spud just blinked and took off his headphones.
"You say something, dude?" Spud asked Rock. Rock rolled his eyes at how slow Spud could be.
"Nothing. Forget I asked." Rock asked Spud, who shrugged and put his headphones back on and resumed rocking to the music he was listening to, leaving Rock to sigh and lean his head back on his seat, unaware of the fact his conversation had been listened in on by a certain pair of brainy racers.
(Race Cam)
"OK, I know we're not on this show to socialize, but I still have to say, I find Rock and Spud's interactions adorable." Ellody said to the camera while keeping a straight face. She then turned to her partner who was looking at her with a raised eyebrow.
"What? Why the skeptic look?" Ellody asked.
"Nothing. I just find it funny you'd have a crush on a musician, that's all. You always seemed to not enjoy music so far." Mary said, trying not to laugh at the gaping look on Ellody's face.
"Wh-what? Are you kidding? I do not have a crush on that airhead! I just find it amusing how much he fails at keeping his partner's attention that's all." Ellody replied, trying and failing to keep her face from going red at Mary's comment.
"If you say so Ellody." Mary replied, then coughed something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like 'Denial.'
"Jeez, start acting more like a genius!" Ellody huffed, crossing her arms.
(End Race Cam, as the planes land in Jamaica)
"So this challenge is for one of us to dive into the water on the beach and retreive the next travel tip from under the water." Spud read off the travel tip he got out of the Don Box.
"Dude, you should totally do it Spud! You have like crazy slow delayed reaction to things!" Rock suggested after the Rockers arrived at the beach. Spud shrugged.
"Eh sure, why not?" Spud agreed, then dived into the water to look for his travel tip. As he looked, several more teams arrived and Mary, Brody, Stephanie, Crimson, and several others joined Spud in searching for the tip which was evidently hidden among a group of gold rings.
As he was looking, Rock stood near the water, waiting for Spud to surface with the tip. He was thus so pre-occupied that he failed to feel a hand on his shoulder until he felt a poke and turned around, only to blink as he realized Ellody was standing next to him.
"Oh, hey there. Ellody, right?" Rock asked, looking Ellody over.
"That's right, Rock. I'm Ellody." Ellody nodded.
"Ah, that's cool. How about this challenge though? Pretty insane, right?" Rock asked, mostly to distract himself from the realization that Ellody was actually kind of cute up-close. Ellody thought about it and shrugged.
"Yeah I suppose that's true. Though they can't be any worse than some of the challenges Chris McLean came up with if what Geoff was saying on the plane was true." Ellody replied. Rock raised a skeptical eyebrow.
"Chris McLean? Wasn't he the ego-centric psycho who tried to turn an island into a toxic waste dump?" Rock asked, frowning. Ellody laughed at Rock's description.
"That pretty much sums it up, yeah." Ellody agreed. "So how long do you think it'll take for anyone to come up?" She asked to break the tension.
"Egh, who knows? Could be awhile since those tips are probably really well-hidden. I just hope no one drowns. As rocking as this show is, no one should die over some money." Rock said. Ellody blinked at this profound comment then smiled and nodded.
"That's true. I like that you have such an open mind, Rock." Ellody replied. Rock smiled.
"Thanks. You're pretty smart yourself." Rock replied. Ellody smiled at the compliment, and couldn't stop her cheeks from pinking slightly.
(Race Cam)
"Dude, maybe it's just me, but it seems like Ellody's being extra-friendly today or something. It's not creepy but it takes getting used to. Though I have to say she is kind of cute. But really since when does a rocker and a brainy girl get on that well?" Rock mused to the camera as he stood alone in front of the camera, then he smiled.
"Ah well, might as well enjoy it while it lasts!" Rock said then shredded the air-guitar, grinning until the camera cut to static.
(End Race Cam)
Before anymore could be said by Rock or Ellody, Mary surfaced holding a travel tip.
"Got it!" Mary said. Ellody read it.
"It's an All-In! We have to work together to make a sandcastle to please a judge, and when we succeed, we have to...footrace to the Chill Zone?" Ellody read, frowning at the last bit.
(Elsewhere with Don)
"Yes, the Chill Zone. The last team to arrive here on the Carpet of Completion MAY BE cut from the race." Don explained.
(Back with the teams)
"Sorry Rock, gotta go." Ellody apologized before she and Mary ran off to start their castle. Rock shrugged.
"No biggy. Good luck with the castle!" Rock called at the brunette genius' departing back. He then went back to waiting for Spud to resurface. Not long after, several other divers resurfaced, namely Jacques, Sanders and Crimson. Rock started to get worried about Spud.
(Race Cam)
"Dude, hurry up and surface Spud! We're losing ground!" Rock said to the camera, throwing his arms up in annoyance. Then he smiled.
"Still at least one good thing came of the wait-I got to talk to that Ellody chick. She doesn't seem like much of a conversationalist, but she's sure easy on the eyes. So it's not ALL bad." Rock said, shrugging as he stared at the camera.
(End Race Cam)
As Rock continued waiting, he groaned as he saw Junior, Stephanie and even Kitty surface. He knew Owen, Spud, Brody, Carrie and Laurie were the only players left underwater not counting Jay, Taylor, Chet and Jen, who had just dived into the water shortly before the first few divers surfaced. He started sweating hoping Spud surfaced soon. Not long after he breathed a sigh of relief as Spud finally surfaced, then tried not to laugh at the sight of Spud covered in eels as he helped Spud pull off the eels. He then carried Spud off to start their castle while Spud had shocks through his body.
(Later)
Eventually all the teams surfaced and started on their sandcastles. Eventually all the teams sans the Rockers, Geniuses and Vegans had finished. Rock and Spud finally finished their castle, and Rock cursed as they saw the Vegans run off towards the Chill Zone then looked around and facepalmed as he realized it was only his team and the Geniuses left at the beach, and the Geniuses hadn't even started building. He then left Spud to recover from the shocks and walked over to the Geniuses.
"Hey ladies, you do realize that everyone else has already headed for the chill zone right? So I'd suggest picking it up before you lose the race." Rock called out to Ellody and Mary, and was rewarded by the sight of a brunette head peeking up from behind a sand hill to look around only for her eyes to widen as she realized Rock was correct.
"Shoot! Mary we have to build faster!" Ellody said to Mary then blinked as she turned around as she saw Rock standing there.
"Aren't you supposed to be running for the Chill Zone right now?" Ellody asked.
"Yeah but Spud's still shaking off the eels so I have some time to kill. Besides you're a nice girl, so I would hate to see you get eliminated by your own intelligence." Rock replied. Ellody's mouth formed an 'o' of surprise at the rocker's words.
"You mean that?" Ellody shyly asked, still surprised by the compliment Rock gave her.
"Of course I do." Rock said. Ellody smiled and hugged the rocker quickly.
"Thank you. No one's ever complimented me like that before. It means a lot" Ellody said smiling as she saw a smile on the blonde rocker's face. Eventually Mary finished building with Ellody's help as Spud finally came to from the shocks. The two teams started the footrace to the Chill Zone...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...only to find out when they arrived all the other teams had finished the leg already.
"Finally decided to join us Rockers and Geniuses?" Don asked when the two teams arrived at the same time. Ellody and Rock both chuckled sheepishly while Mary and Spud facepalmed/rolled their eyes.
"Unfortunately since you both arrived so close together it's a tie, but since we can't have a tie for last we'll have to slow it down and play the finish back frame by frame!" Don announced, causing the other 14 teams to groan and Rock and Ellody to look nervous as they realized one of their teams may be getting cut from the race. Eventually Don came back, looking grave.
"Rockers, Geniuses, I've gone over the footage and determined that the first of you to arrive on the Carpet of Completion was...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(Camera pans from Rock and Spud looking worried to Ellody and Mary looking scared)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...The Geniuses! So that means Rock, Spud, I'm sorry but you two were the last to arrive." Don revealed, causing Ellody and Mary to cheer, then abruptly stop when they realized Rock and Spud could be out, causing Ellody to frown.
"So we're out? Bummer, man." Spud said, looking disappointed. Rock sighed.
"My bad Spud, I let us lose just to give the Geniuses a fighting chance. But you know what? I don't regret it for a second! Because I did the right thing." Rock said. Don laughed at Rock, who frowned.
"What's so funny?" Rock asked, annoyed.
"You. This was a non-elimination round. So you and Spud live another day! But kudos for being so noble Rock." Don said, causing all the teams who came in the top 14 to groan/facepalm, and the bottom two teams (or more accurately one and a half of the bottom two teams) to cheer. Spud chose to give Rock an annoyed glare however.
(Race Cam)
"Yes! We're still alive in the race!" Mary said in relief. Ellody chuckled sheepishly.
"Yeah. Good thing Rock came and gave us that heads-up or who knows how things could've turned out." Ellody said in relief, almost missing the knowing smirk on Mary's face.
"So you DO like Rock!" Mary said, confusing Ellody.
"What? What does that have to do with anything?" Ellody replied, then sighed.
"Fine. Yes I like Rock. Happy?" Ellody said.
"Are you? Your crush saved us from losing the race." Mary pointed out.
"I am, but in my defense he is cute though especially when he's trying to motivate Spud." Ellody replied, just ignoring the smirk on Mary's face as the camera cut to static.
*static*
"Do I regret almost costing me and Spud the race just to save a cute girl? No. Am I upset I let my bro down? Yes. Would I do it again? Heck yes I would! I don't regret doing the right thing!" Rock said crossing his arms. He then saw Spud raise an eyebrow.
"What?" Rock asked the shorter rocker when the brunette just gave him a look that said 'really?'.
"Dude, seriously? I don't blame you for liking Ellody, but don't you think there were other ways of making sure they didn't lose that didn't almost cost us the race? I know I'm slow and hold us back, but I don't throw the game away for the first girl to bat her eyelashes at me! Get it together Rock! We're rockers man! Or have you forgotten that?" Spud replied.
"Of course I haven't! But would you have left them there to lose had I left it up to you Spud? After all you never know when that good karma from doing the right thing could seriously save our backsides like it did in this leg." Rock replied. Spud smirked.
"What? What's with the smirk Spud?" Rock asked.
"You like Ellody. Why didn't I realize it before?" Spud replied teasingly. Rock's face pinked in embarrassment.
"Wh-what? No I don't! She's cute, and fun to hang around, but I don't like her like her! Besides even if I did, what makes you think a brainy girl like her would give a metalhead like me the time of day?" Rock asked. Spud grinned.
"Oh I don't know Rock, she might yet surprise you man. You'll never know unless you try. Besides, what's the worst that could-?" Spud started to ask before Rock slapped a hand over his mouth to prevent him from finishing his sentence.
"OK, fine I'll talk to her. But for the love of all that is good, rocking and holy, do NOT finish that sentence Spud! Bad things happen when that question gets asked!" Rock said, crossing his arms.
"Whatever you say man. Whatever you say." Spud replied, smirking at Rock until the camera cut to static.
(end Race Cam)
Ellody sighed in relief that Rock didn't get himself eliminated helping her out. She then walked up to Rock.
"Can we walk over there and talk?" Ellody asked, pointing to a spot a little ways off with a good view of the sunset. Rock shrugged.
"Sure, why not?" The blonde rocker agreed. Ellody smiled and the two walked over to the spot Ellody indicated.
"What's up?" Rock asked after they stopped walking. Ellody smiled, then instead of answering she leaned in and quickly kissed Rock on the cheek. Rock blinked at this but smiled.
"What was that for?" Rock asked. Ellody smiled.
"For being so sweet, and being willing to risk your spot in the race for me. Not many people would do that since they would likely view my team's intelligence as a threat." Ellody said by way of explanation. Rock blinked but shrugged.
"Dunno why being smart would make you and your partner threats, but that shouldn't matter because you're a smart person, with a wonderful personality and amazing just the way you are. Anyone who would take advantage of that is a fool." Rock said after a brief silence.
Ellody's jaw dropped at the compliment.
"You don't see me as a threat? And you think I'm wonderful?" The brunette genius asked.
"Correctamundo dudette! You're a great person who's fun to be around, and if I'm being honest you're pretty easy on the eyes as well. But mostly you're just fun to hang around with." Rock replied, making Ellody speechless, but also bringing a smile to her face.
"Wow, that's so sweet." Ellody replied finally after finding her voice. Before she could say anything further, she was interrupted by Rock's finger gently touching her lips, shushing the genius.
"Enough talk, let's just sit here and watch the view." Rock said, sitting on the ground and patting a spot next to him, which Ellody took with only minor hesitation. The two then sat and stared at the sky, and eventually Ellody got so into it that she nearly gave out a squeak of surprise as she felt Rock's arm go around her waist, but once she realized what was going on, she relaxed into his hold and just leaned her head on his shoulder as they watched the sunset, both smiling and realizing that even if the worst should happen and they both fail to win the money, they still win as long as they have each other...
And so ends the one-shot. What do you think? Good? Not so good? Keep in mind this is my first story in over three years (possibly four) so I may be a bit rusty from such a long hiatus. While this IS a one-shot, I can continue this if people want me to. Just let me know what you think! Hopefully this will tide people over until I sort out ideas for new chapters for Moon Angel and FaceOff (and to any readers who follow either story yes they're not discontinued, I just haven't been able to get anything done on them yet). Until then, enjoy and feel free to review! sithlorde1988 saying so long for now!
-sithlorde1988